Mayor Clodfelter Statement:
These last four weeks from the commencement of the trial have been difficult and trying for
many people, most especially those involved in the case and their families. I want to thank the entire
community for the calm manner in which everyone has responded to the events of the trial.
Officer Kerrick’s trial has now ended. Twelve of our fellow citizens have heard all of the
testimony. They have carefully considered all the evidence, but they were unable to agree on a
unanimous verdict. What happens next with respect to the pending charges will be decided by the
prosecuting authorities, but the work and the service of this jury are now done.
Our work, the community’s work, however, is not done. Our work, and CMPD’s work is
continuing and must continue uninterrupted. On that night two years ago, one life was lost and another
was changed. Regardless of what may happen now with respect to the pending charges against Officer
Kerrick, we must continue to ask ourselves what we can do, what we must do to lessen our fear of each
other, our misunderstanding of each other ---- fear and misunderstanding that can too often escalate
when we find ourselves in tense or unfamiliar situations. And that task requires all of Charlotte, each
one of us, to take ownership of the issue. It is not something that anyone outside of Charlotte can do
for us or to us; it is something we must do ourselves. It is not something we can put aside or leave for
another day.
What we ask of you, the people of Charlotte, is this. However you may feel about the outcome
of this trial or about what should happen next, you must keep your ears, your minds, and your hearts
open to the voices of others who may feel differently than you do. We must remember that the world
looks very different depending on who you are and what you have experienced. And, we as a
community must respect all of those different views of the world and those different voices; they
matter. They all matter if we are to figure out a way forward from this tragedy.
We have to use this occasion, not brush it aside. We have to use this occasion to step up our
listening to each other and our learning from each other about the many different worlds and lives that
make up our city. If we will do that, if we will keep our commitment to the dialogue that has been
opened up in so many places and among so many people over the course of recent months, we just may
find ways to break down misunderstanding and fear. Our community will be stronger -- and safer -- for
it.
The City Council and I, the City staff, and the men and women of CMPD are fully committed to
that goal.